Deputy who was shot still in intensive care

TAMPA - A Hillsborough sheriff's deputy shot in the abdomen at close range during an undercover drug bust remained in an intensive care unit Monday, his condition critical.

Detective Christopher Baumann, 30, will likely remain in the unit at Tampa General Hospital for a few more days, said sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter.

Deputies say DeAndre Jamal Wallace, an 18-year-old whose felony record began when he was 10, shot Baumann on Saturday. The shooting occurred in Progress Village.

Two jail deputies helped Wallace out of a wheelchair Monday morning as he appeared before a judge. Deputies had shot him after he opened fire on Baumann, authorities said.

Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said Wallace knew what he was doing when he shot the detective.

"No question he was law enforcement; he was wearing a raid jacket, " Bondi said.

Wallace faces life in prison if convicted of the charges of attempted murder, carrying a concealed firearm, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. He was held without bail.

Baumann joined the Sheriff's Office in 1998. He received favorable reviews over the years, according to his personnel file. He drew controversy in 2002, when he arrested John Marshall, a Largo accountant, at a Bucs game. Baumann accused the man of dumping beer on him.

John Marshall disputed the arrest. He was convicted of opposing or obstructing an officer.

In Baumann's Sheriff's Office application, he said his interest in law enforcement stemmed from a childhood attack.

"As a kid, I was the victim of a battery by several other teenagers, " he wrote. "I will never forget the feeling I had when the deputy responded to help me. It was a feeling I enjoy giving to other people."

Staff writer Colleen Jenkins and news researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com.